Wisdom Natural Brands Announces Key Executive Management Team

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New leadership brings unique experience and successful track records

Wisdom Natural Brands®, the parent company of two highly respected global consumer brands: SweetLeaf Stevia® Sweetener and Wisdom of the Ancients® herbal teas, is pleased to announce key executives responsible for implementing innovative, high growth strategies.

Carol May, President of Wisdom Natural Brands, announced the expansion of the executive leadership team today. “We are honored to have such a talented executive team to lead our brands into the future. The executives bring an impressive wealth of knowledge and expertise that will be instrumental in meeting the demands of the global marketplace, customers, and our company’s aggressive goals. Each brings a proven track record of success.”

The executive leadership team consists of the following members:

Sai Prakash Chaturvedula, PhD – Chief Scientific Officer
Sai Prakash has more than 20 years of experience in research and development of natural ingredients, dietary supplements, and health and wellness products. Highly competent with solid leadership and team working skills, Sai Prakash has a PhD in natural product chemistry, and has provided key contributions to Intellectual Property and regulatory strategy for core global health authorities. Sai Prakash has had the honor of being a featured speaker in several national and international symposia, published over hundred research articles in the field of natural product chemistry, and serving in Editorial Board/Advisory Committees for various journals and societies. With a rich industry background, including having held the positions of Senior Director –Natural Product Chemistry at SelectX Pharmaceuticals; Technical Expert, Organic Chemistry for The Coca Cola Company; and Chief Technical Officer at Blue California, Sai will lead research and development as Chief Scientific Officer for Wisdom Natural Brands.

Michael May, PhD – Vice President of Business Development
With experience in organizational leadership, strategy, operations, planning, and implementation, Michael May will lead Wisdom Natural Brands in international business development, government relations, international distribution and sales of consumer product goods, ingredient sales to manufacturers, international food service, and strategic growth opportunities. Michael holds both masters and doctoral degrees from Kansas State University in U.S. history with a minor in American military and modern world history. Following his graduate work, Michael taught strategy and leadership for the Department of Defense. Recently, as Associate Professor of Military History and Strategy for the Air Force, he has been honored with many significant contributions in association with teaching officers from various military services throughout the US and its allies around the world. As a published author and highly sought-after speaker, Michael brings deep international experience and vision to the planning and implementation processes for the company.

Gurudhan Khalsa – Vice President of Sales
With an experienced and successful background in natural food sales, Gurudhan Khalsa will lead the multi-product brand sales of Wisdom Natural Brands, including SweetLeaf Stevia Sweetener and Wisdom of the Ancients herbal teas. With more than a decade of experience with Yogi Tea and cereal sales and as a successful food broker in the natural food category representing natural product manufacturers, Gurudhan, along with his national sales team, will bring continued success to the company’s growth strategies and profitability. Along with an impressive background in the natural foods arena, Gurudhan majored in business and holds a Juris Doctor degree from Brooklyn Law School.

Jorge Perez – Supply Chain Director
As Global Supply Chain Director, Jorge Perez is responsible for securing U.S. and international raw materials, planning and production for finished goods, managing South American operations, directing quality control assurance, and overseeing warehouse operations. Continuing to bring success to the planning, production and acquisition phases of numerous new products, Jorge offers a wealth of insight and experience to Wisdom Natural Brands. Jorge holds a bachelor’s degree in operations management, logistics, materials and supply chain management as well as a Master of Business Administration in Finance/MIS from the Eller College of Management, University of Arizona.

Dan Simonson – Chief Financial Officer
As a senior level executive with extensive experience in finance, accounting and information systems, Wisdom Natural Brands is pleased to announce Dan Simonson as CFO. With an established record of success in growing enterprise value, Dan’s exemplary background includes financial and strategic planning, internal audit and controls, and process and systems implementations. Dan has led and managed the software development of hundreds of business intelligence platforms and accounting automation utilities. Dan comes to Wisdom with nearly a decade of sought-after experience from consulting engagements and experience at Coca-Cola Enterprises as Financial Analyst and Corporate Controller with Micro Component Technology. Dan is a graduate from Arizona State University with a BS in Accounting and Information Systems.

Michael Jamison – Controller
With more than 20 years of experience in financial services, including component costing, manufacturing and processing allocations, cost savings through loss identification, and internal control tracking and documentation, Michael Jamison is welcomed to Wisdom Natural Brands as Controller. Bringing broad experience in management and accounting with such notable companies as Dean Foods, US Foods and Shamrock Foods, his strong organizational and financial skills will assist Wisdom’s management and will account for revenue growth and sales as well as continued increased profits in more than 35 countries. Michael will be directly responsible for the company’s financial processes, accountabilities, and procedures.

About Wisdom Natural Brands®
Gilbert, Arizona-based Wisdom Natural Brands® is the parent company of two highly respected consumer brands: SweetLeaf Stevia® Sweetener and Wisdom of the Ancients® herbal teas. SweetLeaf® is the natural stevia sweetener with zero calories, zero carbohydrates with zero glycemic response. The only stevia brand to be named a Top Wellness Company and to consistently win global taste and innovation awards, SweetLeaf is sold in boxes containing 35 or 70 packets, as well as in SweetLeaf Stevia Plus® Shaker Bottles for easy home use and SweetLeaf SteviaTabs™ Dissolvable Tablets for on-the-go use. SugarLeaf™, also by Wisdom, bonds stevia with cane sugar for a low-calorie sugar alternative perfect for baking and cooking. SweetLeaf® Liquid Stevia Sweet Drops™ add flavor without calories or carbohydrates to favorite foods and beverages, and Sweet Drops™ Water Enhancers add natural flavor to still or sparkling water. For more information about SweetLeaf products, recipes and more, visit http://www.SweetLeaf.com.

Wisdom of the Ancients herbal teas, from energizing Yerba Maté Royale® to calming Rooibos and Sympacho®, are available loose leaf or in bags and come in a variety of refreshing flavors. Select varieties are also available with a touch of calorie-free stevia sweetener.

SweetLeaf and Wisdom of the Ancients products can be purchased online at ShopSweetLeaf.com or at grocery and health food stores throughout the U.S. and Canada.